ASCA Code Addressing Mixed-Gender Anger and Conflict Groups

BENCHMARK CRITICAL INCIDENT PAPER ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to identify and apply the American School Counselors Association (ASCA) Ethical Standards for School Counselors.
Directions: To complete this assignment, you will need to access the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. Choose one of the scenarios below, and after reviewing the facts, divide your paper into 3 headings, writing one paragraph response for each question:
● Identify: What is the issue?
● Summarize: Briefly summarize the ASCA code(s) that address this situation. Make sure to include the code numbers. (Example: “ASCA code A.2.C. states….”).
● Act: As if you are the school counselor, what is the best course of action now and why?
Each section should be one paragraph. Simply answer the questions above in the space provided below. (No title page, abstract, or reference page). DO NOT ADD FLUFF as you will lose points.
Scenario 1:
Jack is a new school counselor, having just been granted his license two months ago. He decides to start a mixed gender group for anger management and conflict resolution. He carefully screens group members and obtains informed consent before beginning the group. Six weeks into the group, Carol comes to Jack and reports that one of the male group members has been making inappropriate sexual remarks to her before and after the group ends. Carol reports she does not feel comfortable and is thinking of leaving the group. Jack, unsure of what to do, decides to ignore Carol’s complaint. Carol soon drops out of the group.
Scenario 2:
Jane is a school counselor and is starting a group for teenage girls who are struggling with self-esteem issues. Jane, wanting to get the group started right away, and worried that she won’t have enough participants, opens the group to all girls ages 13-15. Jane does not worry about screening potential participants though she does obtain written consent from all the girls’ guardians. Alice is a 15-year-old participant in the group who has struggled with depression in her past. This information is not known to Jane, as she did not screen for it. After one particularly difficult group session, Alice goes home and attempts suicide. Alice’s mother calls Jane angry and upset, blaming Jane for her daughter’s suicide attempt.